Pfizer Interested In G.d. Searle

January 19, 1985

Pfizer Inc., New York, acknowledged rumors Friday that it is one of a number of companies that have expressed an interest in acquiring G.D. Searle & Co. of Skokie. Pfizer said: ``When G.D. Searle announced its intent to explore the possible sale of its business, Pfizer was one of the companies contacted in view of the businesses we are in. We, along with other companies, expressed an interest in some of the parts of Searle, including aspartame. We have had some discussions with them, but whether the discussions will lead to a transaction is not known.`` Sources have said that Pfizer has actually made a bid for several of Searle`s consumer brands, including Metamucil and Dramamine. Pfizer wouldn`t confirm that. Pfizer is the second company to publicly acknowledge its interest in Searle, which has been for sale since September, when the family owning more than 25 percent of the company`s stock said it wanted to liquidate its investment. Earlier, Monsanto Co., St. Louis, said it would be interested in acquiring Searle`s pharmaceuticals business. Searle and its investment banker, Morgan Stanley & Co., have refused comment on negotiations. Most observers expect an announcement related to the sale of the company soon.